In Other Countries

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 187, 16 January 1915, Page 5

In Other Countries

SWITZERLAND'S NARROW ESCAPE. BELGIUM'S FATE AVOIDED. BY ONLY TWO MEM. A STORY FROM GENEVA. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, January 14, A Geneva barrister, who lias returned from Germany. states that the. General Staff decided by a majority of only two votes to violate Belgium instead of Switzerland. Many military experts considered the Swiss route the best, as it was feared Framv was prepared for an invasion through Belgium, consequent on the revelations made by Bernhardi, and it was only on account of the great difficulty of entirely changing the mobilisation plan at the last moment that Switzerland was saved.

WILL ITALY FIGHT? Time- and Sydney Suu Services. London, January 14. Italy has prohibited the departure from the country of men under the age of 39. THE DUBIOUS BALKANS. ROVMAXIA STILL HESITATES. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, January 14. A correspondent at writes that although Roumania has finally decided on its action in Transylvania, and that it h expected the campaign will commence in the middle of February, it is anticipated that the Roumanian Minister in Bulgaria will shortly make definite proposal-, to Bulgaria, which i*. k (wiped will facilitate an understanding between the two countries. Roumania will probably offer Bulgaria the restitution of Dobriteh, Balkhik, and the surrounding districts. 7 here is reason to believe that should thr arrangement prove unattainable, Roumania would not allow the unique opportunity afforded oi realising I her national aspirations to pass. An- | other cau=e for Roumanian temporary , hesitation was the uncertainty regardi ing Italy's policy, but the bonds of fr*nd-,hin are now drawn closer.